Building block construction



June 6, 1939. J. MYER BUILDING BLOCK CONSTRUCTION Filed April 10,1956

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in building block constructions and more particularly to improvements in cellular building blocks adapted for use in floor and wall constructions and to 5 building constructions utilizing such blocks.

An object of the invention is to provide a building block of cellular type in which the cells are of staggered height relative to the base of the block.

Another object of the invention is to provide blocks of the foregoing character in which intermediate cells extend further away from the base than end cells.

Another object of the invention is to provide building blocks of cellular type, wherein the end cells are spaced from the intermediate cells by channels of substantially dovetail shape in cross section.

A further object of the invention is to provide cellular blocks having one plane surface and having surfaces parallel thereto of various heights, which blocks can be arranged in staggered relation to provide spaced depressions for the reception of reinforcing means.

An additional object of the invention is to provide building blocks particularly adapted for wall construction, such blocks having spaced parallel plane surfaces and having intermediate parallel surfaces spaced apart.

A still further object of the invention is to provide building blocks of integral construction, which blocks correspond to a pair of blocks having cells of various heights.

In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of the invention, blocks are formed in such fashion as to have cells of various heights. These cells are hollowed out to reduce the weight of the block and to provide air spaces. In one form of the invention the intermediate cells are of greater height relative to the base than the end cells. The intermediate cells are separated partially from the end cells by channels extending laterally across the base, such channels being of substantially dovetail shape in cross section. This type of block is particularly adaptable for use in floor constructions. In another form of block, particularly useful in connection with wall constructions, the arrangement corresponds to a pair of blocks made as previously described, in which the intermediate cells are spaced adjacent each other, thereby forming a relatively wide channel between the end cells. For convenience, this block which corresponds to two combined blocks is made of integral composition.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detail description of the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, wherein Fig. l is a perspective view of a block embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a floor during process of construction;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and showing added concrete;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a part of a floor showing a modified form of reinforcing arrangement;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing concrete added to the block construction; 7

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of block particularly useful in wall construction; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wall made from blocks as shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, l0 indicates a plane surface web forming in effect the base of a block used particularly in floor construction. Extending upwardly from the web It are two end cells indicated generally at H, and two intermediate cells indicated gen- 25 erally at E2. Each end cell II has a side wall It extending substantially at right angles to the web M, an inclined side wall l5, and a top Hi, the surface of which is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the web l0. The lateral edge of the top is bevelled as indicated at l6. Due to this arrangement of side walls and top, a hollow core I l is formed. The intermediate cells l2 have a common central wall I8 extending at right angles to the web Ill, and are provided with side walls l9 inclined in opposite directions. These cells also have top portions 20 partially separated by a substantially V-shaped slot 2|. The cells I2 have hollow cores as shown. The top portions 2! are set back from the edges of the side walls l9 to provide ledges 2|. Due to the inclination of the walls l5 and I9, channels 22 are formed. These channels as shown in the drawings are of dovetail shape in cross section. The side walls l9 and the central wall l8 extend further from the web It than the walls l4 and i5, so that the surfaces of the tops iii of the end cells are substantially aligned with the ledges 2i, while the surfaces of the top portions 20 are spaced at a greater distance from the web l0 than the surfaces of the portions [6.

The operation and use ofblocks, as just described, is illustrated clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. In these figures, 36 indicates a wall of a building formed of any suitable material. This wall 30 has a horizontal ledge 3| as shown in Fig. 3. Before a floor can be laid it is necessary to erect 'a temporary support or false-work to support the blocks. Such temporary support may be made of a number of cross beams 32 on which are positioned beams 34 at right angles thereto. These beams 34 are so spaced that a block will have three points of support; namely, at the ends and midway of the ends.

With the false-work in proper position, the blocks to be used in constructing the floor may be placed thereupon. The relative positions of the blocks, all of which are'constructed in accordance with the showing of Fig. 1, is illustrated clearly in Fig. 2, wherein it will be seen that the intermediate cells in one row of blocks are staggered relative to the intermediate cells in the next row of blocks. In other words, the intermediate cells of the blocks in one row have immediately adjacent thereto the end cells of two blocks in the next row; thus, alternately located high surfaces formed by the tops 20 of the intermediate cells are arranged, It will be necessary of course 'to make use of fragmentary blocks in' some instances, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, wherein an end cell indicated generally at 40 has a part thereof resting on the ledge 3I, and on one of the cross beams 34. Likewise, it may become necessary to utilize a part of a block containing only the normally intermediate cells and one end cell, which arrangement is shown in Fig. 2, wherein the intermediate cellsindicated by their top portions 20 are shown adjacent the wall 30. The end cell severed from the block to provide this fragment can be used, of course, as shown at 40 in Fig. 3.

Since it may be desirable to strengthen a floor made from blocks, in accordance with the invention, use may be made of bar reinforcing members or any other reinforcing devices. Such members are shown clearly at 4| and 42 in the drawings, wherein the bars 4|, are arranged in crisscross relation, while the bars 42 extend longitudinally of the channels 22 and also longitudinally of the channels formed partially by 1 the recesses 2!, and partially by the V-shaped recesses formed by oppositely bevelled edges I6. Any suitable number of reinforcing bars both in crisscross relation and in the various channels may be utilized.

7 After the blocks have been properly arranged and the reinforcing bars placed in position, concrete can be poured to form the floor and to lock the blocks in place. If desired, concrete can be poured to such height that the surface thereof is substantially flush with the surfaces of the top portions 20 (Fig. 3). The poured concrete will enter the various channels 22 in the blocks, and since these blocks are arranged so that the channels of one block are aligned with those of a block in the next row, it follows that a continuous bar of concrete of dovetail shape 7 5 the advantages inherent in the structure are experienced. The interlocking of the poured concrete in the channels of dovetail shape in cross section and also in the depressions defined by the tops of the end portions imparts sufficient rigidity to the device for all purposes. An additional advantage resides in the fact that when the false-work has been removed the plane surfaces III of the Various blocks form a substantially smooth ceiling which can be finished by plaster or by any other suitable treatment.

A different arrangement of reinforcing members has been shown in Fig. 4. In this construction the tops 20 01 the various blocks are shown in staggered relation relative to each other a so that'the top I6 of end cells are also in staggered relation. Instead, however, of utilizing the bars in'crisscross arrangement, use is made of straightbars 60 extending longitudinally of the blocks to overlie adjacent end cells of two blocks. These'bars 60 have their ends bent, as shown at .6I,.to. extend down into the channels of dovetail shape in cross section. In conjunction with the. bars BI], use ismade of bars 62 positioned to be in alignment with the composite recesses formed by the recesses 2t and those between the bevelled edges I6 of two blocks. Additional bars 64 are also shown, such bars being positioned, some inthe various slots 22 and at least one on top of-the bars 60 substantially centrally of the top of the slots 22. This arrangement is carried out in staggered relation throughout the floor area. If desired, the crossed bars maybe fastened together in any suitable manner or may be unfastened as conditions require.

In Fig. 5a section of the arrangement of Fig; 4 is shown with the addition of poured concrete III, the top H of which isintended to be substantially flush with the tops of the various cells 20, Such arrangement corresponds with that shown clearly in Fig. 3. It is to be understood, however, that the poured concrete may be of a greater depth than that shown in Fig. 5 so that the tops 20 of the intermediate cells are alsov such block being particularly adaptable for use in wall constructions. This block as shown has two' web portions IIO instead of a single web portion I0 (Fig. l). The outer surfaces of these two web portions are in substantial parallelism. The block also has four end cells III and four intermediate cells H2. 'I'heend cells have right angular walls H4 and inclined walls H5, together with walls H6 corresponding to the walls IS. in the same fashion as those producedin the Fig. 1 construction. The pairs of intermediate cells H2 have a common wall H8 and walls H9 inclined in opposite directions. Instead, however, of separate tops walls 20, a single wall I20 serves for all four intermediate cells. mediate cells and the end cells are separated by channels I22 which are of substantial dovetail shape in cross section. Instead, however, of permitting these channels to extend uninterruptedly to the webs H0, cross bars I23 may be provided to thereby form cells positioned between the end cells and the intermediate cells. Due to the space The interbetween the walls llfi. of the end cells and to portions of the channels I22, channels I25 of substantially cross shape are formed at each end i of theblock. c 7

Blocks as shown in Fig. 6 may be assembled in wall construction in the manner shown in Fig. 7 wherein it will be seenthat these blocks are laid in staggered relation as is customary with building blocks of other types; When the blocks are so arranged, it will be found that the 1 channels I25 of substantially cross shape will be in vertical alignment and the staggered blocks can be locked in wall form bypouring concrete into these channels. If desired, reinforcing bars I30 may be utilized, such bars being positioned in the channels I25 in any desired fashion. When the wall construction has been completed, it will be found that the cores of the end cells are in substantial alignment with the cores of intermediate cells and since the cores of the intermediate cells are larger than those of the end cells, the overlap normally existing is compensated for.

A wall constructed from such blocks is of relatively light weight, and possesses the advantage that a minimum of poured concrete is necessary during the construction of the wall. Since the blocks have two web portions H0, each having plane surfaces, it follows that these surfaces form smooth wall faces. The block shown in Fig. 6 is in effect a pair of blocks of the type shown in Fig. 1, the main difference residing in the provision of a single wall I20 between the pairs of intermediate cells.

While the blocks hereinbefore described as being particularly adapted for use in floor constructions have been illustrated and described as having a web in the form of a plane surface, it is to be understood that the web may be curved or otherwise formed to adapt the block to various uses. A block having a curved web is particularly useful in connection with the construction of arches and, in addition to the curvature imparted to the web, a block may have the side walls thereof tapered to facilitate arch construction. In the block construction particularly adapted for use in walls and the like it is to be understood that the cross webs defining or determining the number of cells in the two sections can be increased or decreased as occasion may require. Such decreasing of the cross webs may be carried to the point of having the block made up of two sections, each comprising a single cell.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides new and simple building blocks which can be easily manufactured, and the invention also provides novel building constructions utilizing such blocks. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of modification beyond the illustrated embodiments, in view of which any limitations imposed thereupon are to be such only as are set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A block of the type described comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored cells on one side thereof and each having said web as a wall thereof, said cells having plane surfaces substantially parallel to the aforesaid plane surface, the said surfaces of intermediate cells being spaced further from said plane surface than the said surfaces of end cells.

A block of the type described comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored cells on one side thereof, said cells having surfaces substantially parallel to said plane surface, the said surfaces of intermediate cells being spaced further from said plane surface than the said surfaces of end cells, the end cells being separated from the intermediate cells by channels of substantially dovetail shape in cross section.-

3. A block of the type described comprising a web having a plane surface, a plurality of hollow cored cells extending from one side thereof, the intermediate cells of said plurality of cells extending further from said web' than the'end cells, the end cells being separated from the intermediate cells by channels of substantially dovetail shape in cross section.

4. A block of the type described'comprising'a web having a substantially continuous plane surface, hollow cored end cells extending from' one side thereof and having plane surfaced walls substantially parallel to the aforesaid plane surface, hollow cored' intermediate cells extending from the same side thereof and having walls substantially parallel to said plane surface and spaced further therefrom than the corresponding walls of the end cells, said intermediate cells having a common dividing wall, each of said end cells and said intermediate cells having said web as a wall thereof.

5. A block of the type described comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored end cells extending from one side thereof and having walls substantially parallel to said plane surface, hollow cored intermediate cells extending from the same side thereof and having walls substantially parallel to said plane surface and spaced further therefrom than the corresponding walls of the end cells, said intermediate cells having a common dividing wall, each end cell having a wall inclined toward the intermediate cells and each intermediate cell having a wall inclined toward an end cell, said inclined walls defining channels between the end cells and the intermediate cells.

6. A block of the type described made up of a pair of integral similarly shaped sections, each section comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored cells extending from one side thereof with the intermediate cells extending further from said web than the end cells, said intermediate cells having a common longitudinal wall joining the sections, the end cells of each section being separated from similar cells of the other section by channels.

7. A block of the type described made up of a pair of integral similarly shaped sections, each section comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored end cells extending from one side thereof, hollow cored intermediate cells extending from the same side thereof, said intermediate cells extending further from said web than the end cells, said intermediate cells having a common dividing wall, and a longitudinal wall common to the intermediate cells of each section and serving to join the sections.

8. A block of the type described made up of a pair of integral similarly shaped sections, each section comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored end cells extending from one side thereof, hollow cored intermediate cells extending from the same side thereof a distance greater than the extent of the end cells, each end cell having a wall inclined toward the intermediate cells, and each intermediate cell having a wall inclined toward an end cell, a wall bridging the adjacent inclined walls and spaced from the web, and a longitudinal wall common to the intermediate cells of each section and serving to join the sections.

9. A building structure made up of a plurality of rows of blocks spaced end to end, each block comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored-cells on one side thereof, said cells having surfaces substantially parallel to said plane surface, the said surfaces of intermediate cells being spaced further from said plane surface than the said surfaces of end cells, the end cells being separated from the intermediate cells by channels of substantially dovetail shape in cross section, the blocks in one row being arranged in staggered relation to the blocks in an adjacent row, and poured concrete covering the tops of the end cells to at least the level of the tops of the intermediate cells and filling said channels.

10.A' building structure made up of a plurality of rows of blocks spaced end to end, each block comprising a web having a plane surface, hollow cored cells on one side thereof, said cells having surfaces substantially parallel to said plane surface, the said surfaces of intermediate cells being spaced further from said plane surface than the said surfaces of end cells, the end cells being separated from the intermediate cells by channels of substantially dovetail shape in cross section, the blocks in one row being arranged in staggered relation to the blocks in an adjacent row, poured concrete covering the tops of the end cells to at least the level of the tops of the intermediate cells and filling said channels, and reinforcing members embedded in said poured concrete.

JAY LELAND MYER. 

